Northampton Community College presents "Avenue Q: The Musical," the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical featuring 11 Muppet-style puppets who interact with three human characters in a show that deals with love, sex, money, race and gay roommates. The show runs Thursday through Sunday in the Lipkin Theatre in Kopecek Hall.

Originally conceived as a homage to "Sesame Street," "Avenue Q" uses familiar-looking characters to explore decidedly adult lessons. At the center is recent college grad Princeton, who is looking for his purpose in life. He moves to a low-rent building on Avenue Q, an imaginary street in Manhattan's Alphabet City area.

It's no surprise the puppets resemble "Sesame Street" characters, including Cookie Monster, and Bert and Ernie. They were designed by Rick Lyon, who was a puppeteer for "Sesame Street."

The show also features a memorable score by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx, with slightly subversive songs like "It Sucks To Be Me" and "Everyone's a Little Bit Racist."

NCC director Bill Mutimer says his production uses puppets and videos the school has rented from the Broadway production.

Admission is free with a donation of non-perishable food items or a contribution to the Norman Roberts Scholarship Fund. Reservations are suggested. Call 610-861-5524 or email NCC-theatre-tickets@northampton.edu.